Letter: Do the math

In Peter McCurdy’s recent letter, his statement that “the left does not work” is based on his comparison of their ideology to the failed communist-style economy of the old USSR and Eastern Europe.

His prognosis that the “moderate right works best” is overstated when studies comparing economic results between past liberal and conservative administrations are reviewed.

They indicate the median gross domestic product growth (since 1949 through 2012) under Democrats was 4.2 percent versus 2.6 percent for Republicans. The stock market showed 12.1 percent results from 1913 through 2012 under them, and 5.1 percent for the GOP.

More telling was the annual increase in corporate earnings from 1936 through 2012 was 10.5 percent versus 8.9 percent under the conservatives watch.

We all agree the economy could be better and having more moderates in Congress would help. Nevertheless, “the math” has shown our economy will not face Armageddon when the Democratic “left” have their hands on the tiller.